Atmosphere is good. Foamy head, consistent coverage, pervasive lacing. Nose is roasted malt grains, accentuated with oak, molasses, honey... well done. Malty with plenty of molasses and peat. Overall, this is a great quaff.

More User Reviews:

4.67/5 rDev +12.5%

I finally tracked down the last Bastard! ... Which is simply a blend of the bastards I HAVE tried... but also DRY-HOPPED! I can't wait. It says "DIRNK ME NOW" and "DON'T CELALR"... Too bad. I DID cellar it for one night (and I'm sure it would age wonderfully for over a year, too, based on my experience cellaring Arrogant Bastard). But I will drink it now, cellar temperature, in my snifter.

Like every other bastard beer I've beheld, this one is a gorgeous sight. That familiar frothy tan head complementing a deep, shining garnet hue. Awe-inspiring.

It smells of dark cherries and raisins, with accents of pine, citrus zest, vanilla, and a little smoke and leather. A non-specific berry scent too, I think. And of course, DANK HOPS. Love it.

Okay the flavor took me by surprise a bit. A bright, astringent blend of citrus rind and well... DRY hops hits hard and fast like a ninja. We're talking an initial hops assault on the DIPA level here. In the aftermath of this I can taste some caramel, nuttiness, and a dry breadiness wrapping things up. What a ride!

The body is decidedly full, which I am decidedly happy with.

Being a blend of beers I'd already tried, I wasn't sure how distinctive this would be, but I think the dry-hopping made it stand out. Truly an ale worthy of being associated with Stone's prestigious family of bastard beers. It IS the progeny of tho others, after all.

Excellent hoppy beer. Pours golden with a foamy half inch of head. Citrus hop aromas. Aggressive hops that are muted by a great and substantive malting. Citrus and light fruity tastes. Oh so drinkable.The hops do act to wear down the taste buds somewhat.

A: The beer is clear amber in color and has a moderate amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a half finger high beige colored head that died down, consistently leaving a thin layer of bubbles covering the surface and a collar around the edge of the glass.S: An interesting mix of caramel malts, citrusy hops, pine resin hops and oak is present in the nose.T: The taste is similar to the smell, except that the hops are more prominent and lend a moderate to strong amount of bitterness that lingers through the finish (especially the piney hops). Hints of alcohol and vanilla are also noticeable. Once the beer warms up, the vanilla flavors become stronger.M: It feels a bit more than medium-bodied, crisp and very dry on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation. Some alcohol heat is perceptible.O: This beer is like smelling salts in that tasting the hop bitterness will definitely wake you up, but there's an interesting enough mix of flavors to make it something you can sip and savor. It definitely tastes like a hybrid between an imperial IPA and a strong ale.

I recognize this beer has had many good reviews, but I find it to be very harsh and difficult to drink. Poured the rest of the bottle down the drain. I love the bottle and the hype they build in the writings on the bottles, so I was really wanting to like this one and the original arrogant bastard. While I appreciate the complexity and cleanliness of both, I can't recommend or purchase it again. Sorry Stone, I love your other brews!

9.20% abv?Mine says 8.5%,anyways it dont matter.Poured into an imperial nonic a deep rich dark bronze with tight formed one finger slight off white head that left one solid ring of lace behind as it settled.A great mix of juicy fruit malt,brown sugar,and a heavy dose of resiny hop,just how I like a good strong ale to be.Flavors are cakey,and fruity at the onset with big resiny hops in the finish,I love the hop profile goin on here.This is my favorite style of beer so I may be a bit bias here,love the hops!

Come on Lions,make me proud for once in the last ten years!Restore the Roar!

A: A medium-dark copper with good clarity. The persistent head forms a good stand of rocky light tan bubbles that leave a sticky lacing on the side of the glass.

S: A heady, strong bouquet of tropical and citrus hops aromas with pineapple and lemon being the dominate notes with supporting mango and orange. There is a bit of an herbaceous, grassy note from dry hopping. The malt adds a moderately-light, clean sweet note.

T: Aggressive hops bitterness dominates with an equally supportive malt bill that brings a light caramel, a bit of dry grain and clean sweetness. There is a good amount of hops flavor with the pineapple and lemon still take the lead with a bit more pine than in the nose followed by some orange. The balance is very bitter but the malt sweetness is still very apparent. The alcohol bring a light sweetness towards the off-dry finish with a lingering citrus peel-like bitterness.

M: A lightly creamy, slightly more than medium bodied beer with moderate carbonation. There is light alcohol warmth and a slight tingle on the palate.

O: Lucky Bastard indeed, at least for any self described hopheads! This beer is an outstanding, huge West Coast tropical/citrus hop bomb.

Awesome auburn pour topped with a frothy and dense head that follows the brew all the way to the bottom of the glass with a heavy sitcky lace. The sweet and sour hop aromas are distinct but the flavor harps more on the bitter hop character rather than on any overwhelming sweetness. The medium body and lack of syrupy slick often found in these high hop/resin beers. The alcohol provides plenty of heat making this brew a nice winter warmer and over all a very very pleasant drink, holiday or otherwise.

On tap at The Lion's Pride.In a pint glass the beer was a dark amber color with a pretty large tan head that left some sticky lacing.Hoppy aroma, sweet malt, alcohol.The oak definitely came through more in the taste. Sweet, bready, blast of herbal hops.A smooth beer.Easy to drink. A good way to start off a visit with my mother.

I tried this when it first came out and was impressed enough to buy another but not overwhelmed. Didn't review it. Forgot about it. Until now.What a difference the second time around! This beer is not for aging but the lying around in the beer fridge didn't hurt it one bit.Poured into my 21st Amendment chalice. A - Dark cherry/amber. Beautiful lace. A gorgeous beer.S - A good prelude to what's to come. Caramel dominates.T - Caramel with piny hop undertones (some smoke?) offer exceptional tasting experience. Close to a 5 but not quite. Going with 4.5.M - This beer is so much fun. There is absolutely nothing lacking in the feeling left behind from each taste. Caramel and pine left behind make this a thoroughly enjoyable beer.O - 'nuf said already. I don't suppose this beer is still available. If I do happen to see one, it will be mine.

Pours a deep red with three fingers of pillowy, persistent foam; head leaves a nice trail of lacing behind.

The first smell to come through is citrus hops, with a bit of pine thrown in as well. Then comes a slightly sweet scent of caramel malts and very faint hints of oak. Smells very good.

Taste is similar to smell. The hops dominate initially, followed by the malts. Like most stone beers, no real attempt to hide the alcohol, which provides a nice warming feeling, but isn't overwhelming. Oak is clearly present as well. Leaves a lingering strong bitterness.

This is very smooth, with a medium mouthfeel.

Very drinkable for the abv and the persistent bitterness of the hops. I would like to see this one come back.